Clown Anemonefish

There are quite a few species of well-known active day-time reef fish that live specifically in sea anemones – Anemonefish. Anemonefish and sea anemones live in a symbiotic, mutualistic relationship, each providing benefits to the other. The sea anemone protects the Anemonefish from predators, as well as providing food through the scraps left from the anemone’s meals and occasional dead anemone tentacles. In return, the Anemonefish defends the anemone from its predators, and parasites. Some Anemonefish are very specific to a particular host – anemone, but most will associate with a variety of species.

Clownfish are technically 1 or 2 species of anemonefish, but often in the USA and Europe the whole family is referred to as Clownfish. Purists say only the Eastern Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion percula) is the true Clownfish (well known from the film Nemo) while the Western Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is also known as False Clown Anemonefish. Some experts say these 2 species live in different locations – while others aren’t so sure because of records – such as these videos – made in places where they shouldn’t be. Can You tell them apart ?

Above: This segment from the film Coral Sea Dreaming shows a wide variety of different Anemonefish living with their host-anemones. The scenes where filmed on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and to the north in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

Some people say only the Eastern Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion percula) is the true Clownfish (well known from the film Nemo) while the Western Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is also known as False Clown Anemonefish. Can you tell them apart ?